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| Al di la della Luna; Beyond the Moon; Astrophotography; Astrofotografia; Danilo Pivato |
| Abruzzo Astronomical Observatory - 2026.01.24 - Founded by the astronomer Vincenzo Cerulli, to whom it was later dedicated, the observatory was constructed in 1890 in the locality of Collurania (from Collis Uraniæ), on the hilly elevations overlooking the city of Teramo, on land owned by the Cerulli family. The construction subsequently gave its name to the entire hamlet in which it is located. Surrounded by an extensive park, the observatory—distinguished by the unmistakable white dome of its main pavilion—constitutes one of the most characteristic features of the local landscape. The dome of the main pavilion, clearly visible at the center of the photograph, is located at the summit of the Collurania hill upon which the observatory is situated; it was originally installed in the United Kingdom. They were originally owned by James Wigglesworth. The dome and the telescope, both supplied in 1885 by Cooke & Sons, were therefore contemporaneous. Following the death of the builder in 1888, his heirs decided to close and dismantle the observatory. The equipment housed therein—most notably the dome and the Cooke telescope—was subsequently dismantled and sold to the Italian astronomer Vincenzo Cerulli. The acquisition was completed on 30 June 1890 |
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Photo: Danilo Pivato © Copyright: - Images & texts 2026 - All rights reserved